Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time

Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by rbanffy on Monday March 29, 2021 @09:50AM (#26621493)

> But the fact that admission to this community required total philosophical adherence is just bizarre.

My grandpa's best friend was a catholic priest. I remember him saying that you really don't need to go to the church if you don't want to, but, if you did good deeds selflessly, always tried to make things right (in the sense of least global damage possible) and to avoid wronging others, you'd be a good enough catolic to pass any reasonable judgement day test.

Which is something I would suspect my idealized Jesus would stand behind.

The only time I saw him actually working as a priest, was when my grandpa died and he delivered his eulogy.

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by p_l on Monday March 29, 2021 @09:53AM (#26621546)

It's also the official doctrine of Catholic Church since Vatican II...

Thing is, application of it by clergy is not exactly universal :(

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by aeneasmackenzie on Monday March 29, 2021 @09:58AM (#26621625)

This is false. It is true that the church teaches that you can be saved without going through the church, but this does not apply if you are aware of the church. Invincible ignorance does not apply to those who are not ignorant.

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by p_l on Monday March 29, 2021 @10:13AM (#26621868)

I believe the main issue is whether one refused god or not (i.e. catholic who renounced the faith). Being aware of faith but not practicing while still fulfilling the requirements does count, iirc.

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by mustafa_pasi on Monday March 29, 2021 @10:35AM (#26622258)

No, I'm pretty sure it doesn't. I mean, this is one of the mayor schisms between Protestant and Christian churches.

You can check the catechism if you want. It puts it in black on white.

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by mustafa_pasi on Monday March 29, 2021 @10:11AM (#26621848)

Not really. If you are, muslim yes. But if you are Catholic, then one of your duties is mass every Sunday and not doing so is a mortal sin.

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Re:Gallup: U.S. church membership dips below 50% for first time by rbanffy on Monday March 29, 2021 @02:46PM (#26626419)

There are diverging views on the subject. For some, it suffices to act according to what Jesus taught. For others, the more strict observation of rituals is a necessity.

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